Former Cork politician Gary O’Flynn granted legal aid but denied bail

A former politician has been refused bail after he appeared in court accused of attempting to hire someone to murder a detective, an accountant and a tax official.

Gary O’Flynn was brought before Cork District Court where he faced three separate charges of soliciting an undercover garda to kill.

It is alleged the intended victims were Detective Garda Mary Skehan, an official of the Revenue Commissioners named George Ross, and accountant Patrick Sweeney.

The alleged offences took place on the Mallow Road in Cork between October 1 last year and February 15 this year.

The solicitor and former Fianna Fáil councillor was remanded in custody and also granted legal aid, according to the Courts Service.

O’Flynn, the 37-year-old son of former Fianna Fáil TD Noel O’Flynn, was arrested at his home last Thursday following a three-month probe by a special undercover detective unit from Dublin.

He denied the allegations when charged at Gurranabraher Garda station and will be brought back before the court on Wednesday.

O’Flynn, of Hayfield Drive, Castle Court, Old Post Office Road, White Church, Co Cork took his father’s seat on the Cork City Council in 2003.

His political career ended five years later when his seat was taken over by his brother, Kenneth.

Mr O’Flynn’s father Noel was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 for the Cork North-Central constituency, where he served as a TD for 14 years.

It is understood he agreed not to defend his seat at the 2011 general election at the request of Micheál Martin, but later criticised his party leader for allegedly failing to support his son Ken’s Seanad bid.

Mr O’Flynn had also criticised former party leaders and taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen while a backbench TD.